Lions v Blues Super Rugby Preview

The Lions can expect their defence to be heavily tested this weekend when they
host the Blues at Ellis Park for the first time since 2011.

The Blues game is all about attack and they have made the most clean line-breaks
thus far this season, with 22.

With a tackle success rate of 88%, the Lions&#8217; defence is pretty solid,
but they will have to improve their discipline otherwise they could find themselves
on the back foot for most of the time.

Worryingly for the hosts, no team has conceded more than the Lions' 41 penalties
this season, and they also lead the stakes in terms of yellow cards, with three.

The Lions have played the Blues 15 times in Super Rugby since 1998 and the
Lions have won three times and lost 12 times.

That gives the Lions a record of winning just 20% of their matches at all venues
against the Blues from Auckland.

The average score when the Lions play the Blues across all venues is : Lions
19 Blues 34.

This weekend the match will be played in Johannesburg and the Lions have the
benefit of home advantage and the altitude. The altitude factor will not be
as effective as it could be for the Lions as the Blues played the Bulls last
week and have become a little more acclimatized.

The Lions have played the Blues 8 times in Johannesburg and they have won twice
and lost six times. That gives the Lions a slightly improved record of winning
25% of their matches against the Blues at home.

The average score however when the Lions play the Blues in Johannesburg is
: Lions 25 Blues 39 - The Blues on average score more when they are in Johannesburg.

The Blues have won their last three matches in Johannesburg so the Lions have
not won at home against the Blues since 2006.

In terms of selection the Lions have reinstated Marnitz Boshoff at No.10 with
Elton Jantjies on the replacements bench. Courtnall Skosan, JW Jonker and Coenie
van Wyk all come into the starting line up.

In the forwards, Robbie Coetzee returns to the starting line-up and Willie
Britz will start at flank. As a result, both Willie Wepener and Warwick Tecklenburg
will provide cover off the replacements bench.

The Highlight of the Blues team is Benji Marshall earning his first start in
the team and will be playing at fullback. Pita Ahki is starts at second five-eighths
in place of Jackson Willison who moves to the bench, while Chris Noakes replaces
Simon Hickey at first five-eighths.

In the forwards Steven Luatua moves to the back of the scrum to replace Peter
Saili with Brendon O'Connor getting his first start of the season at blindside
flanker.

The Lions have played four matches so far this season and although they made
a fantastic start they have lost their last two matches and much of their early
momentum has been lost. Being back at home would normally be an opportunity
to restart their campaign but they are up against a team that plays a game that
the Lions have struggled with for 16 years.